Registered Venezuelan nationals have been given an extension of stay in Trinidad and Tobago to the end of this year.
Acting Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Derek Craigwell, speaking on a local radio station, said only Venezuelans who are properly registered will be able to take advantage of the extension.
He said that National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds had signed the legal notice last month and that it had been published in the official Gazette earlier this month.
Craigwell said that the extension of stay to December 31, this year “will be granted to qualifying Venezuelan nationals.
“That is Venezuelan nationals in Trinidad and Tobago who re-registered during the re-registration exercise conducted from March 3, 2021 to April 9, 2021 to December 31, 2022,” he added.
Once approved, applicants will receive a work permit exemption valid for one year. Their status, however, will be assessed after the first six months, following which they will either be denied or granted approval to continue working in TNT for the remaining six months.
Venezuelans who are registered will also benefit from free emergency medical services at public health institutions including treatment for acute medical conditions such as accidents, injuries, asthma, heart attacks, strokes, diabetic comas, infectious disease and initial stabilization of fractures. They will also benefit from public health promotions and immunization efforts.
On the contrary, there is no guarantee that registered Venezuelans will be able to access education, training courses or social services offered by government and state entities.
The number of Venezuelans who have benefited from the initiative vary with some groups claiming that in May 2019 there were 60,000 Venezuelans. However, a separate report issued by the UNHCR reported that as of 30th September, 2020 there were 14,241 pending asylum claims in Trinidad and Tobago and 2,514 recognised refugees.
Venezuelans have been fleeing their homeland as opposition forces in the South American country backed by many western countries including the United States, Europe and Canada, seek the removal of President Nickolas Maduro from office.
Source- CMC
